For those who’re planning your first journey to China, Shanghai is a good place to begin.
We went there just lately and loved it very a lot. Though it’s the largest metropolis in China and a world middle of enterprise and know-how, it’s also very touristy and simple to get round.
Shanghai is stuffed with nice meals and issues to do. It has historic markets and temples, luxurious purchasing malls, a world-class aquarium and probably the most well-known skylines on the planet.
On this article, I’ll share among the finest issues newcomers can see and do in Shanghai.
The place to remain in Shanghai
1. Yuyuan Park and Previous Avenue (Yueyuan Previous Avenue)
Yuyuan is a historic space with gardens, temples, retailers and meals stalls. The most effective time to go is at evening, when every little thing comes again to life.
Can Rent a qipao or hanfu dress If you’d like a enjoyable cultural expertise, we noticed lots of people doing this to take photos once we have been there.
Yuyuan is simple to get to by subway, or you possibly can stroll there from a few of Shanghai’s centrally situated inns, which is what we did.
We keep in Holiday Inn Express on the BundSo we simply needed to cross the road to enter Yuyuan Previous Avenue. It was the right place!

Huxinting Tea Pond in Yuyuan Backyard

Yuyuan historical avenue
2. The North Bund
Shanghai has probably the most spectacular skylines on the planet, with almost 200 skyscrapers, together with the well-known Oriental Pearl Tower.
There is not any higher place to see the skyline than the Bund waterfront, which has a panoramic view of all of the buildings throughout the Huangpu River.
In actual fact, there are two completely different viewing areas: the Bund and the North Bund. Most individuals go to the Bund, however I want the North Bund as a result of it is much less crowded and the views are no less than pretty much as good.
Do not forget to return again at evening to see all of the buildings lit up!


North Bund Boardwalk
3. Shanghai Tower (Shanghai Tower)
Shanghai Tower is at present the tallest skyscraper in China and the third tallest skyscraper on the planet in 2026.
You possibly can climb to the highest, the place the statement platforms are situated on the 118th, 119th and 121st flooring. The latter is the very best statement deck on the planet, barely larger than the roof of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Sadly for photographers, the one technique to take photos is thru the thick security glass, which could be a little troublesome.
Nonetheless, it’s value going, if solely to be on prime of one of many tallest buildings on the planet.
Ebook now: Shanghai Tower Tickets

Do not forget to go to this park close to the Shanghai Tower. It’s known as Lujiazui Central Inexperienced Area.
4. IFC Mall
The Worldwide Monetary Heart is extra than simply a shopping mall; It additionally has top-of-the-line rooftop views in Shanghai!
This place is extremely underrated and we virtually had it to ourselves on Friday. There are awnings and chairs, so our child Emma was in a position to sleep in her stroller whereas we loved the view.
One facet of the roof has nice views of the Pearl Tower, whereas the opposite facet has close-up views of the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.
Better of all, it is utterly free! In contrast to different rooftop observatories in Shanghai, you needn’t pay any entrance price to go up and benefit from the view on the IFC.

IFC Mall has an exquisite view from the roof of the Oriental Pearl Tower
5. Shanghai Aquarium (Shanghai Ocean Aquarium)
The Shanghai Aquarium has one of many longest underwater viewing tunnels on the planet and is residence to lots of of species from all over the world.
We went there partly to flee the crowds and warmth on a summer season day, nevertheless it’s really a really lovely aquarium in its personal proper.
It is in all probability not among the many finest aquariums on the planet, like Atlanta, Singapore or Okinawa, however so long as you retain practical expectations, it is value a go to.
The aquarium is situated proper subsequent to the Pearl Tower, so you possibly can simply get there by metro.
Ebook now: Tickets to the Shanghai Aquarium
Shark mild bomb at Shanghai Aquarium
There are various fish to see.
6. Mingzhou Roundabout
It is a round pedestrian walkway situated within the middle of the Pudong space and has unimaginable close-up views of the Pearl Tower and different buildings.
You’ll in all probability use this walkway in some unspecified time in the future in the event you stroll across the Pudong space because it connects many of the well-known locations such because the Pearl Tower, Disney flagship retailer, Superbrand shopping center and IFC shopping center.
It is a good little place that is stuffed with vacationers day and evening, and for the reason that walkway is elevated, you might be above the highway and may cross it with out ready for visitors.
Mingzhu dizziness at evening
7. Sinar Mas Plaza/SMP (Central Singapore)
SMP is one other skyscraper with a shopping mall and a rooftop viewing platform known as The Stage.
For those who solely paid to see one observatory in Shanghai, this is able to be my best choice. It has the very best views of the bend of the river and all of Shanghai’s most iconic buildings.
For my part, it’s higher than the view from contained in the Shanghai Tower, as a result of you possibly can see the complete group of buildings. It’s the good view of Shanghai.
Ebook now: Tickets for the SMP stage
SMP purchasing middle
View from the stage above SMP Mall
8. Nanjing Freeway
Nanjing is among the busiest purchasing streets on the planet. Consider it like Fifth Avenue or Orchard Street in Shanghai.
This space is stuffed with nice retailers, eating places and purchasing facilities. Right here yow will discover every little thing from bargains to luxurious.
We walked for hours, shopped, had dinner, and drank a number of matcha ice cream. It is an enormous place and you may spend all day strolling round there.
Nanjing Freeway
Memento and trinket stall
9. Flights from Shanghai
Final however not least, there are a selection of fine excursions you possibly can tackle the outskirts of Shanghai.
To benefit from the pure surroundings and historic cities, you possibly can go to Hangzhou, Suzhou or Zhujiajiao Water Metropolis. Suzhou has been known as the “Venice of China” due to its canals. Additionally situated close to town are Disneyland Park and Shanghai Wildlife Park.
For those who actually need to get out of town and see one thing superb, there’s Huangshan Nationwide Park.
It has among the finest mountain views in China, though it is best to take a multi-day journey as getting there by bullet prepare from Shanghai takes 2 to three hours every means.
Ebook now: Hangzhou / Suzhou / Zhujiajiao Day Trip
Really helpful itinerary
Under is a pattern itinerary that you should utilize for a 4-day journey in Shanghai.
That is similar to the itinerary we used on our personal journey:
- First day. Arrival and check-in at your resort. Spend the afternoon purchasing and eating at Yuyuan Previous Avenue.
- The second day. Spend the day within the Pudong space. Climb to the highest of Shanghai Tower after which go to the IFC mall. Cross the Mingzhu Roundabout and the Huangpu River to see the North Bund. Dinner at Sinar Mas Plaza after which watch the sundown on the theater.
- Day 3. Go to the Shanghai Aquarium within the morning after which spend the remainder of the day strolling, purchasing, and eating on Nanjing Street.
- Day 4. Make a journey to the outskirts of town, reminiscent of Disneyland, Shanghai Wildlife Park, or Zhujiajiao Water Park.
rows of bicycles
Large teddy bear at SMP Mall
Extra issues to do in China
Thanks for wanting! I hope you get pleasure from this information to some enjoyable issues to do in your first journey to Shanghai.
Do not forget to take a look at my journey information to Zhangjiajie Nationwide Park and bookmark my weblog for extra posts about China coming quickly!
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